Pacific Winds 20250117
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Chinese military delegation to make rare visit to Japan, experts see pre-Trump prep
Breaking Defense 20250115
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/chinese-military-delegation-to-make-rare-visit-to-japan-experts-see-pre-trump-prep/
What Next for Japan’s Relations With China?
The Diplomat 20250116
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/what-next-for-japan-china-relations/
Trump's pick for top diplomat Rubio urges China not to destabilize Asia
Kyodo 20250116
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/9d18fe8fa8f5-trumps-pick-for-top-diplomat-urges-china-not-to-destabilize-asia.html
Past Lessons and Future Action: Policies for a Successful Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Hudson 20250116
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/past-lessons-future-action-policies-successful-free-open-indo-pacific-kenneth-weinstein-william-chou
Planned joint coast guard training by Quad will only add chaos to Asia-Pacific region
GT 20250117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327057.shtml
Tiptoeing around China: Australia’s framework for technology vendor review
ASPI 2020116
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-technology-vendor-review-framework-tiptoes-around-china/
China, tariffs, and Trump 2.0
Brookings 20250116
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/china-tariffs-and-trump-2-0/
US strengthens restrictions on advanced computing chips to prevent diversion to China
Reuters 20250115
https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-strengthens-restrictions-advanced-computing-chips-prevent-diversion-china-2025-01-15/
Chinese FM slams US’ intensified restrictions on advanced chips to prevent diversion to China
GT 20250116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327007.shtml
China to probe US exports of legacy chips as Biden administration rushes to offload tech containment curbs
GT 20250116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327054.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Top Marine general says moving Marines from Okinawa to Guam ‘puts us going the wrong way’
Task & Purpose 20250115
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marines-okinawa-guam-china/
Top Marine says relocation to Guam ‘going the wrong way’
GDP 20250116
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/top-marine-says-relocation-to-guam-going-the-wrong-way/article_11cf87d6-d3c9-11ef-bd48-6f44342b5b28.html
Marine commandant says moving troops from Okinawa to Guam ‘puts us going the wrong way’
S&S 20250116
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-01-16/marine-corps-okinawa-guam-move-16497869.html
Defense secretary nominee: Guam is strategically significant base in Pacific
KUAM 20250116
https://www.kuam.com/story/52184824/defense-secretary-nominee-guam-is-strategically-significant-base-in-pacific
U.S. Coast Guard deploys team to CNMI, Guam strengthening regional maritime security and partnerships
USCG FMSG 20250115
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/489094/us-coast-guard-deploys-team-cnmi-guam-strengthening-regional-maritime-security-and-partnerships
Island Waves
China supports Fiji's climate efforts
FBCN 20250116
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/climate-change/china-supports-fijis-climate-efforts/
CKC receives support from PRC
Solomon Star 20250116
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ckc-receives-support-from-prc/
Erasing Taiwan: Implications of a Growing China-Solomon Islands Partnership
The Diplomat 20250117
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/erasing-taiwan-implications-of-a-growing-china-solomon-islands-partnership/
Looking Back: A Review of the Pacific in 2024
CSIS 20250115
https://www.csis.org/analysis/looking-back-review-pacific-2024
Taiwan + SCS
FM urges US to stop smearing China as Rubio called China 'the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary'
GT 20250116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327005.shtml
Trump's Greenland bid stirs debate in China about what to do with Taiwan
Reuters 20250115
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trumps-greenland-bid-stirs-debate-china-about-what-do-with-taiwan-2025-01-15/
Taiwan navy to protect sea cables if needed, defence minister says
Reuters 20250116
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-navy-protect-sea-cables-if-needed-defence-minister-says-2025-01-16/
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6016690
Philippines, China pledge to seek common ground on South China Sea
Reuters 20250116
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-china-pledge-seek-common-ground-south-china-sea-2025-01-16/
China ‘monster ship’ remains near Zambales coast
GMA 20250116
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/933040/china-monster-ship-still-in-zambales/story/
US response in SCS key to countering Beijing
Manila Times 20250117
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/17/news/national/us-response-in-scs-key-to-countering-beijing/2039770
Neutrality is the policy that would best serve the Philippine interest
GT 20250116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327025.shtml
Capabilities
Why South Korea might go nuclear in Trump’s term
Lowy 20250117
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-south-korea-might-go-nuclear-trump-s-term
Navy Now Seeking Commercial Ship Design To Propel Its Long-Delayed Medium Landing Ship Program Forward
TWZ 22050115
https://www.twz.com/news-features/navy-now-seeking-commercial-ship-design-to-propel-its-long-delayed-medium-landing-ship-program-forward
What China’s New Fighter Jet Really Signals
FP 20250116
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/16/china-new-fighter-jet-military-capabilities/
New Air-Launched Cruise Missile Teased By General Atomics
TWZ 20250115
https://www.twz.com/air/new-air-launched-cruise-missile-teased-by-general-atomics
Scientists create ‘queen of explosives’ with Chinese steamed buns
SCMP 20250116
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3294159/scientists-create-queen-explosives-chinese-steamed-buns
China’s microwave weapons aim to zap US drone swarms
Asia Times 20250116
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/chinas-microwave-weapons-aim-to-zap-us-drone-swarms/
U.S. approves sale of additional air-to-surface missiles to Japan
Kyodo 20250116
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/af6494f71a02-us-approves-sale-of-additional-air-to-surface-missiles-to-japan.html
Japan – Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range
US DSCA 20250115
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/japan-joint-air-surface-standoff-missiles-extended-range
Navy admiral ‘skeptical’ of Large USV’s future amid congressional scrutiny
Breaking Defense 20250116
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/navy-admiral-skeptical-of-large-usvs-future-amid-congressional-scrutiny/
Investing in critical infrastructure will be ‘longest pole in the tent’ for Navy, says CNO
Breaking Defense 20250116
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/investing-in-critical-infrastructure-will-be-longest-pole-in-the-tent-for-navy-says-cno/
Pentagon to test how generative AI would perform in fight with China
Defense One 20250115
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/01/pentagon-test-how-generative-ai-would-perform-fight-china/402234/
Eroding the Social Contract: Strategic Failures Threatening Australia’s Security
AIIA 20250116
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/eroding-the-social-contract-strategic-failures-threatening-australias-security/
Ho'okele Mua II, a Wargame About Climate Change and Operational Risk in INDOPACOM
RAND 20250116
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA400/RRA470-8/RAND_RRA470-8.pdf